Rural areas in West Oxfordshire have been equipped with new covert cameras to curb fly-tipping.

As part of the Rural Crime Partnership, £156,000 in funding was secured from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley and the Home Office’s Safer Streets initiative for the installation.

Cllr Geoff Saul, executive member for Housing & Social Welfare, said: "I’m so pleased that the District Council has been able to make this happen through the Rural Crime Partnership.

"It is a hugely worthwhile project that will help us support our residents and make them feel much safer in their communities."

The initiative is managed by West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire, and Vale of White Horse district councils and Thames Valley Police.

This funding allowed the purchase of 20 additional cameras exclusively for West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC), with South Oxfordshire and Vale also receiving extra cameras.

Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: "Fly-tipping is not just an eyesore, it can be a health hazard and also create a dangerous environment for wildlife and, when done on farmland, livestock and crops."

The cameras utilise 'No Glow' night vision LEDs.

The scheme will also see the placement of signs around known hotspots to deter fly-tipping.

The locations of the cameras will be regularly rotated around the district.